Significance of bratabandha in Hindu religion

By Suvecha Pant

KATHMANDU, May 1: More than 200 people from different castes, creed, social strata and ages gathered at the Nepal Ved Vidyashram in the city today demonstrating that peace and harmony can be achieved if one sets his mind to it. It might seem a bit odd that not all of these people were participating in any rally or anything of that sort. Why they came together was for performing the religious rituals of the bratabandha (sacred thread ceremony).

At a mass bratabandha function organised here today by the Ved VIdyashram of Kathmandu, 51 males (ranging from as small as seven years to twenty-five years old) had their bratabandha performed.

There were three jagyas (the place where the ceremony takes place) made for the bratabandha . This was so because the three groups of participants - - Brahmins, Chhetris and Newars could perform the ceremony according to their own cultures and traditions.

"Organising such functions enables families to carry out such important rituals on their sons in less expensive and vidhipurwak (according to Hindu tradition) manner" said the priest, the organiser of the mass bratabandha , Keshav Adhikari.

"For just a mere 1500 rupees we have provided the essentials required for the ceremony of a bratabandha , a venue to do the bratabandha and other requirements related to this day," said Adhikari. "The 51 bratabandha boys had been here yesterday to perform the rituals of the purwanga," he added.

The purwanga is performed a day before the bratabandha . The significance of the purwanga is to worship different gods and deceased ancestors for the success of the bratabandha .

Seven years old Sahayog Shrestha, who was amongst the 51 boys, showed a sense of excitement on his face. The small boy enjoyed being around so many people and kept jumping from one place to another.

His father, Gem Shrestha explained why he chose to have a mass performance of bratabandha , " a bratabandha this way is easier, cheaper and the rituals are finished in a short period of time."

Another father at the bratabandha , Ram Ji Bista said, "Keeping the current delicate situation of the country in mind, I thought that this was a way in which we could perform my son’s bratabandha peacefully", adding, "There are no unnecessary hassles, expenditure and pressures that one encounter in performing the rituals at home."

"With the performance of my bratabandha I have finally become a man and a complete Hindu" said ten-year-old Sanjay Sharma, adding with a sparkle in his eye, "I don’t know why but I have suddenly felt grown-up."

The importance of the bratabandha in Hindu religion signifies the transition from the bal ashram (child) to bramhacharya ashram (young bachelor). Once a boy does his bratabandha , he can perform shraddha (religious rites in the memory of deceased ancestors) and give dahbatti (first torch of cremation) for his parents.

The boy would also become eligible to marriage. However, if a boy marries without bratabandha , then he and his offsprings will be downgraded by a step in the family hierarchy.

Moreover, if a boy dies without having performed bratabandha , his family would not perform shraddha for him and he would be buried without his funeral rite performed at the crematory.

Report on development for Summit being prepared

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KATHMANDU, May 1: The country report on sustainable development, which will be presented at the Johannesburg World Summit in September is expected to be ready in about a month. It is likely to achieve its final shape after the steering committee meeting scheduled for May 8.

The report, which is being drafted by experts from various walks of life, will gain the status of the country paper only after the cabinet council approves it.

The report, which will incorporate the views of both non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and governments on sustainable development, will also include the point of view expressed by members of the ethnic minorities, among others.

Dr. Minendra Rijal, who is involved in drawing up the draft agenda for the summit as a member of the government-instituted team, said, "The report will make it a point to leave no point of view out." Dr. Rijal said this at an interaction programme organised by the Nepal Tamang Ghedung on Tuesday in the capital.

Shedding light on the possible final contents of the paper, Dr.Rijal said, "Point will be made to incorporate all human efforts, which contribute to sustainable development.."

Although the concept of sustainable development was initially linked to environment alone, its definition has been, however, further stretched to socio-economic development, the condition of womenfolk, children, members of the farming community, scientists and trade union bodies after the 1992 earth summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Amid apprehensions coming from representatives of the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that the concerned governments may end up relegating the country paper as "mainstream-centred," Dr. Hari Shankar Tripathi, member of the National Planning Commission (NPC) said, " The paper will represent the national view. In fact, the government may not be able to make political moves by leaving out the concerns of the minorities."

Dr. Tripathi, however, further elaborated that all that the paper has to do with is ensuring sustainable development, adding that the same cannot be achieved without ensuring coordination among all the members of the society. " Strategies will revolve around practical way out of the current development challenges."

The significant aspect of the report includes workbook-like tips which spell out a particular project and possible resources and time each may take to be completed. The draft report running into over hundred pages is divided into 40 chapters and has something or the other to suggest on national economic activities from tourism to farming.

Parshu Ram Tamang, member of UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues said, " The government has yet to comply with the chapter 26 of agenda 21 passed by the Rio summit, which categorically says the concerned governments must solicit the views of ethnic communities while drawing up the agenda."

Meanwhile, ethnic minorities who have not been consulted by the government team formed a body on Tuesday which will demand membership of the highest committee headed by the Prime Minister on the issue.

Araniko’s statue in Beijing

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KATHMANDU, May 1: Royal Nepalese Ambassador to China Rajeshwar Acharya, the chief of the Archaeological Department of China and President of the Arniko Society Anup Bhattarai jointly unveiled a life size statue of Arniko amidst a colourful function at the compound of the White Pagoda in Beijing today.

The statue of Arniko was made in Nepal and brought to Beijing by the Arniko Society of Nepal.

Acharya highlighted the contributions of Arniko in bringing Nepalese and Chinese Society closer and also helping promote Nepal-China Friendship.

He spoke about the Nepalese Architectural Contribution made by Arniko to China.

The chief of the Archaeological Department and the president of Arniko Society also shed light on Nepal-China relations and the contribution made by Arniko.

The function was well attended by representatives of the Municipal Government, Chinese academics, media personnel, Nepalese working at the embassy, their families and also Nepalese students studying in China.

A group of artises from Nepal has come to Beijing to participate in the function.

The Nepalese group also held a food festival and a cultural show. They will organise the cultural show and food festival for one week.

It may be recalled that the White Pagoda was constructed by Arniko in Beijing in 1278 AD during the Yuan dynasty.

Cleaning task in KMC ward No. 1 privatised

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KATHMANDU, May 1: After the three-month-long trial, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has finally decided to fully hand over the responsibility of cleaning ward No. 1 area to a private company today.

Chief of the Solid Waste Management Section Rajesh Manandhar said that KMC partially authorised the agency to collect solid waste on a trial basis three months ago.

"The agency will have to collect garbage from door to door of the area and also will transport the collected piles to the Transfer Station at Teku. For this the agency will not get a single penny from KMC. It has to collect money from the beneficiary,that is, the local community," he said.

Manandhar said that KMC is taking 21 cleaning staff out of 30 to the centre because the job of cleaning in ward No. 1 is being done by a private organisation- Solid Waste Management Services from Thursday.

"Out of the 30 cleaning staff, presently working in the ward, only 9 will be there to continue occasional service like cleaning of drains and so on. That means we are reducing two third of the total man power," he said.

He said KMC spends around Rs 7,000 for one cleaning staff, which means Rs 147,000 in one ward.

However, the cleaning staff are on the stage to protest privatisation process. They are continually protesting the process with a fear that KMC would be laying off the existing staff.

Similarly, KMC has also partially privatised cleaning project of ward No. 24 area, around New Road. The assignment of cleaning the area has come under A to Z Cleaning Services, KMC sources said.

Women empowerment vital for development

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KATHMANDU, May 1: A three-day workshop on Development Challenges in South Asia was jointly inaugurated by Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Rajendra Kharel and Deputy Speaker at the House of Representatives today.

Minister Kharel said that all the memeber states of South Asian Association of Regional Corporation should have one voice for sustainable objective of regional development.

Deputry Speaker Yadav stressed the empowerment of women for overall development. "Withoug empowering women, the goal of sustainable development cannot be achieved. Women are specially victimised in the region," she said.

From the chair, Alok Mukhopadhyaya, the chairperson of South to South Solidarity said the result of the workshop should not be confined only to holding a grand event. "Rather, we must work hard to access the outcome of the workshop to decision-makers."

Shanta Lall Mulmi, general secretary of NGO Federation of Nepal , said civil society organisations, NGOs and government should be united to jointly put forward their voice.

Talking to The Kathmandu Post, Mulmi said while the north is dominating the South and developing countries, international authorities like the Asian Development Bank, World Bank and International Monitory Fund are trying to hold the world market with their financial power. "This situation must come to the end. For this unitiy among the countries of the South Asian region must be the first step."

"It is time to unite and take action for palns receiving lessions from our past experiences and taking advantage of what we already have, the indigeneous system of development," he said.

The workshop is sheduled to produce a detailed action plan, suitable for the whole region by Friday afternoon.

Over 40 representatives of NGOs from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal participated in the workshop, organised by South to South Solidarity. They are to take part in different issues like population and health, land reforms, women’s development and third world perspective of the emerging world order separately, during the three-day workshop.

Report on child rights launched

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KATHMANDU, May 1: Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Center (CWIN) launched the periodic report on the State of the Rights of the Child in Nepal 2002 here today.

Nearly 41 children have died in explosion and around 70 have received serious injuries in the last one year. The report also claims that over 30 children were abducted.

The report comes in the run-up to the Us visit of Prime Minster Sher Bahadur Deuba who is attending the global meting on issues related to children. In fact, heads of the government are expected to report the progress made for the welfare of the children.

Speaking on the occasion, Sumnima Pradhan, Information Officer at CWIN said that the report has been prepared to shed light on the ups and downs of the child rights movement in Nepal.

The present report includes the challenges in the year 2000 in the state of the right of the children in Nepal. It also covers the institutional challenges being faced by the government in implementing its commitments into practice. The data and information included in the report are based on data from research works, studies and surveys carried out till date in newspaper reports and information recorded in the CWIN help-line.

CWIN has recorded a total of 3,609 incidents this year related to the exploitation of children, sexual exploitation of children, child trafficking, forced prostitution, child labour exploitation, child death, missing children and children in conflict with the law.

Tarak Dhital, spokesperson at CWIN said that a majority of the incidents in violation of child rights go unreported or are often repressed and the number of cases presented in the new report are just a fraction of the actual situation.

The four elementary child rights as mentioned in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) are right to survival, right to development, right to protection and right to participation.

Emphasizing more on annual figure of the report, Dhital further said that 27,000 children die of diarrhoea every year. There is one child specialist to 1,04066 children in the country. Out of 2.5 million disabled people, 5 per cent are children.

‘Peace education’ to be introduced

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KATHMANDU, May 1: Peace Education Academy of Nepal under the National UNESCO Federation will introduce a separate course, ‘Peace Education’ in the school curriculum.

"The course will be first introduced in five selected schools and two campuses next week," said Lhondup Dorji Lama, Vice President of the National Federation of UNESCO Associations of Nepal. He was speaking at a programme organised to mark the "49th anniversary of Nepal’s entry to UNESCO on Wednesday.

Professor Damber Bir Thapa, President of National Federation of UNESCO Associations of Nepal said the course is designed to produce peace-minded youths and students in the country.

The move follows a recent global peace movement initiated by UNESCO. The speakers at today’s gathering called on the government to include "Peace Education" in the school curriculum in view of the perpetuated violence in the country.

"Many countries impart ‘peace education’ to children in educational institutions, but Nepal has yet to introduce it," said Vera Lucia, a Brazilian scholar, who is currently doing a research at the Tribhuvan University.

"Peace education has a more holistic approach", Lucia, who is also an expert on peace education at the International Association of Educators for World Peace said.

Ronast-PU accord signed

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KATHMANDU, May 1: An agreement has been reached between the Royal Nepal Academy for Science and Technology (RONAST) and the Purbanchal University (PU) on mutual co-operation in academic and research work concerning science and technology.

Under the agreement, both institutions will exchange scientific and technical facilities and information and jointly run various research-oriented projects.

In addition, due priority will be given to involving the scientists and the technical manpower of both the institutions in activities concerning science and technology on a reciprocal basis.

Prof. dr. Dayananda Bajracharya, Vice-Chancellor of Ronast, and Toran Bahadur Karki, Vice-Chancellor of PU, signed the two year agreement on behalf of their respective institutions.

Indian-built embankment likely to affect Nepali side

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BHADRAPUR, Jhapa, May 1: People living close to the Nepal-India border of this far-eastern Terai district are feared of soil erosion and inundation after the Indian side began constructing embankments along the eastern bank of the Mechi River that borders the two countries in the east.

The Mechi River has been eroding soil in Nepali side after India built a 13-kilometre-long embankment south of Panitanki. Nepali authorities said that the Indian side built the embankment without consulting with the Nepal government before going ahead for the project.

Official stance of the Nepal government, however, is that both the sides should reach a mutual understanding before building any constructions—embankment or irrigation projects—close to
the border areas by both the countries.

The Indian side has suspended work on the embankment since last year in response to Nepal’s request that proposes for simultaneous construction works on such projects of bilateral benefit.

But Indian side is learnt to have formally informed the Nepali side that they could not suspend the work for a long time. An Indian technical team led by engineer Gautam Datta had recently held discussions with the Nepali counterpart in Jhapa. The team is learnt to have informed the Nepali officials that India wanted to complete the embankment to protect the Naxalbadi area from inundation and flooding.

Nepali officials said that once the India completes its embankment along the eastern bank of the river, the river would change its normal course and would affect several Nepali villages including Satighatta, Jyamirgadhi, Bhadrapur, Maheshpur, Prithvinagar, Athamari and Bahundangi.

These villages are situated close to the western side of the riverbank. Engineer at the District Irrigation Office, Surendra Mehar Shrestha, said the river has changed its course and moved about one kilometre toward the Nepali side due to the construction of the Indian embankment. He said a 25-km-long embankment has to be built along the stretches from Bahundangi to Bhadrapur to tame the river to protect the Nepali land from further erosion and inundation.

Nepal : Peace talks the only visible solution

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POKHARA, May 1: Currently handling the reins of power in the government that is combating the Maoists insurgency, the government is portraying different scenarios, alleged Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of the main opposition party CPN - UML.

Nepal was speaking Tuesday at a programme of the 12th memorial ceremony held in honour of martyrs Jhapendra Karki and Rishi Pariyar. He said the tussle between the government and the ruling Nepali Congress Party in their attempts to find a solution to the Maoist problems has led to a very strange situation in the country.

"The president of the Nepali Congress Party says there is no alternative other than peace talks, but the government on the other hand is urging people with assurances of rewards to fetch the heads of Maoists which is agianst the constitution. The Congress party is creating a funny and ridiculous situation", said general secretary Nepal. "The government should seek a political outlet rather than opting for military instruments to resolve the problem. For this, peace talks is the only solution visible."

"Head hunting doesn’t solve any problems," Nepal added, "The government should forward the case of captured Maoists for trial after their arrests."

He urged the Maoists to drop arms and asked the government to prevent the entry of foreign military into the country. He stressed further that the Maoists should immediately stop the destruction of development infrastructures, "Maoists are defaming the name of Mao Zedong by indulging in such destructive activities", said Nepal.

Village Development Programme gaining popularity in Dolakha

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CHARIKOT, Dolakha, May 1: The Village Development Programme (VDP) being implemented in various Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Dolakha district under the local self-governance programme is gaining popularity these days.

At present VDP is being implemented at Lakuridanda, Fasku, Pawari, Bhirge, Suspachhawati, Bhedpu, Sundrawati, Jhule, Boche, Laduk, Jiri, Malu, Namdu, Chhetrapa, Orang, Gyhansungkathokar, Melung, Dandakharka and Kalinchowk VDCs of Dolakha district.

Under VDP, 427 community groups of villagers living below the poverty line have been formed in the above VDCs. These community groups have saved Rs 4,327,522 and invested
Rs 4.5621 million in income generation works.

Likewise, the members of the community groups have invested Rs 5.365 million through the local trust fund in income generation activities, according to advisor of the District Development Committee (DDC) Mahesh Nepal.

A feeling of unity has been developed among the villagers, disputes ended, forests protected and villages became cleaner, Goma Thami of Setidevi Community Group enlists the changes brought by VDP.

The VDP has been organising agricultural, livestock, cottage industry training programmes for 1,085 members of the community groups with the objective of developing skill and involving the members in vocational works unitedly.

The Local Self-governance Programme has been successful in ending social anamolies and social inequalities in the villages, DDC advisor Nepal says, adding that the women of the villages are now capable of reading and speaking like their male counterparts and presenting their problems.

The Chairman of DDC Lal Kumar KC says that the VDP has helped to reduce poverty by forming community groups, mobilising savings, developing skills, handing over technology and implementing development programmes in the villages.

Landslide distrupts road construction

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MYAGDI, May 1: The construction of Beni-Simkot section of the road in Myagdi district is disrupted by a landslide.

Recently Nawaraj Sharma,the Chairman of the district had laid the foundation stone for the road measuring around 20 kilometres, linking the district headquarters Benibazaar to Babyachaur VDC in the western belt of the district.

Following the destruction of a bulldozer recently by the Maoist rebels, another bulldozer has been hired from HA Construction of Pokhara at the cost of Rs. 3,000 per day, it is learnt.

Sharma claimed that the road to Andhura will be constructed in tight security despite the Maoist threats.

Hailstones damage crops

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SYANGJA, May 1: Hailstorms Monday battered various agricultural crops at Bhajang Chisapani and Chitre Bhanjyang in the eastern part of Syangja district, causing damage worth tens of thousands of rupees.

According to Syangja District Development Committee (DDC) vice-president Laxmipati Poudel who just at arrived headquarters after making an on-the-spot inspection of affected areas, hailstones of up to 500 grams fell at Chitre Bhanjyang.

Likewise, 25 per cent of wheat crop in Taplejung district was damaged due to hailstones in various parts of the district. Hailstones that struck the farmer’s fields repeatedly for many times in the past few days also damaged potato cultivation in Fungling Village Development Committee of the district.

Similarly the hailstones precipitation on Monday also battered Charikot of Dolakha and has caused damages of thousands of rupees. The hailstone that continued for about 25 minutes has damaged fruits, vegetable, standing wheat and maize crops.

400 families in Mahendranagar get new settlement

By Chitranga Thapa

MAHENDRANAGAR, May 1: Mahendranagar Urban Development Committee (MUDC) has initiated the procedure of providing land to around 400 families, with random settlement within the city, at a subsidised price.

As per its plan, MUDC had constituted a sub-committee to come up with the statistics on the random settlers within the city, last year. Now the distribution of the land is going on the basis of the list prepared by the sub-committee, sources at the MUDC said.

MUDC is providing 18 bighas and 11 katthas of land, under its possession, at Bhagatpur and Sallaghari area of the city.

"Assuming the duration of settlement within the city as the measuring rod, the settlers are provided with the land
on priority basis as per the report prepared by the sub-committee," chief of MUDC Yagya Raj Chataut said.

According to the policy adopted by MUDC, 19 families of random settlers residing within the city before 1977 are provided with two katthas of land each at the rate of Rs. 5,000 per Kattha. Similarly, there are different provisions for the settlers residing within the city, as per the time they have spent in the city.

As to the another plan of MUDC, it is establishing a ‘Labour Colony,’ as a part of the campaign to wipe out the land encroachment in the city. MUDC is learnt to be constructing a Labour Colony at Sallaghari area to rehabilitate the daily wage earners.

"A Labour Colony with the capacity to accommodate around 70 labourers shall be constructed soon," Chautaut said.

Sindure festival concludes

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NUWAKOT, May 1: The traditional Sindure Jatra or vermillion festival organised every year at the premises of the renowned Bhairavi Temple of Nuwakot concluded here recently.

The festival is being celebrated here since the time of the Malla Kings. The festival comes to an end on the full moon day with a chariot procession of local faith healers or shamans at Devighat, the confluence of the Tadi and Trisuli rivers at ward no-7 of Bidur municipality.

The Malla Kings have begun the festival with the objective of keeping the state away from any crisis. Sacrifices of goats, cocks and ducks are also made during the festival in order to please the gods and goddesses.

The festival begins the day after the Chaitra Shukla Poornima following a salvo by a contingent of the Royal Nepalese Army and chanting of Vedic mantras by the shaman at the Bhairavi temple.

During the festival this year, 22 girls from the local Newar community underwent the traditional "Bel Bibaha" at the premises of the Jalapa temple in Devighat, said the Jalapa Region Development Committee.

Buddha Air service to Janakpur

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JANKPUR, May 1: Buddha air has starting operating its daily flights to Janakpur from today. 

For the inauguration flight, its Beach 1900 landed on the Janakpur airport and then returned back for Tribhuwan International Airport this morning with all the seats occupied, according to Kaushal Bhandari, the station manager.

Janakpur is the sixth destination operated by Buddha Air established five years ago. It is already operating its flights to Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Bhadrapur and Nepalgunj.

The start of the second air service in Janakpur coincides with the annoucemnet of ‘Destination Nepal’ programme which will help to increase number of tourists visiting the holy city, said Bajrang Prasad Shah, the Mayor of Janakpur municipality.

The airlines can operate twice a day if needed, said Ghanashyam Acharya, the senior executive of the airlines. Necon Air is already operating in the city.

Lack of fund hampers repair works at Krishnabhir

By Prabhakar Ghimere

CHITWAN, May 1: The much-needed repair works at Krishnabhir in Mugling-Naubise section of the Prithvi Highway is still lying incomplete due to the cut down in the allocated budget.

The main highway linking the capital city with the country’s Terai belt is likely to be disrupted by landslides in the coming monsoon due to delay in repair works, the concerned officials said.

"The earlier earmarked budget of Rs. four million was cut down by 50 percent," said Tulsi Sitaula, engineer of Division Road Office (DRO) in Bharatpur. "And even the reduced budget has not reached the Project. Thus the repair works at Krishnabhir is lying incomplete."

Krishnabhir has been the sorrow of Prithvi Highway, especially during the rainy season since many years. The huge landslides have caused obstruction to hundreds of vehicles for days on many occasions.

The repair works further hampered last week after the Maoists blew off a bulldozer out of the two kept stand-by at the site. This has also reduced the chances of immediate clearance of the debris if needed in future.

This has increased the possibility of the obstruction on the highway in the coming rainy season, the concerned officials said.

The officials at DRO complain that they have been making an appeal to the Department of Road for the supply of required materials to carry out the repair works within Muglin-Nuabise section of the road as the monsoon approaches near.